Nbme 15 got 191 step 1 in 3 days

[studentstudying]

So quick background,

I am not looking to get into a specialty of sorts, most likely primary care, IM, peds type deal. Also my nbme scores have been coming up from 170 a 2 week ago, 180 a week a go and 191 today. My step 1 is in 3 days.

I feel 50/50 about passing. Sort of confident if I review my micro a bit. However, I also have the option of delaying my first rotation till 4th year. I searched for an hour or so and got very little info, but can anyone shed some light on how this affects you with your other rotations, or with residencies? Should I just gun it next couple days and take my step 1? Thanks!

Long time reader, first time poster. Can use your help.

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[CDI]

Delay.

 

[studentstudying]

Even if that means delaying my first rotation?

** thanks for the quick reply

 

[CDI]

I would imagine failing Step 1 is worse than delaying a rotation.

Maybe an AMG can chime in.

 

[projectlogic]

You are obviously at a huge risk for failing. Although delaying your rotations does look bad, I think failing a board exam would look worse since your app would get filtered out at most programs.

How long have you been studying for? Seems like you still have potential to improve.

 

[studentstudying]

You are obviously at a huge risk for failing. Although delaying your rotations does look bad, I think failing a board exam would look worse since your app would get filtered out at most programs.

How long have you been studying for? Seems like you still have potential to improve.

6 weeks or so. Debating....... I honestly don't care too much of my absolute score, so as long as I pass step1. I know if I had another 3 weeks, I could probably get 210-215 easy. I know my weaknesses, just ran out of time haha. Are you a 3rd year? Or have you had to consider this route? I'm guessing not many people take this route of delay, because there hasn't been many discussions about it in the past... Thanks!

 

[skyblue2000]

How well do you feel you know FA? Think you could benefit a lot from reading it again or doing RX if you don't learn well from straight reading.

My scores went from:
172 on my school cbsa
193 on nbme 7 after 3 weeks studying
205 on nbme 6 a week later
212 on nbme 13 a couple of days ago. Maybe the material just needs time to sink in... Taking the exam with a 191 is a HUGE risk.

 

[projectlogic]

6 weeks or so. Debating....... I honestly don't care too much of my absolute score, so as long as I pass step1. I know if I had another 3 weeks, I could probably get 210-215 easy. I know my weaknesses, just ran out of time haha. Are you a 3rd year? Or have you had to consider this route? I'm guessing not many people take this route of delay, because there hasn't been many discussions about it in the past... Thanks!

Yes, I'm a 3rd year. Did not have to consider taking this route, but I'm sure there are other people who were in your position who could hopefully chime in. I will tell you this though.. the NBMEs are usually very accurate about predicting your score (usually within a couple of points for most people), especially if you take one a few days out from the actual exam.

Normally I would be against delaying, but since you're only 3 points above passing I'm worried about whether or not you can pass. Remember, that your score could swing up or down by a few points on the actual day, depending on your stamina, the questions you get, etc.

Good luck with whatever choice you decide to make! It's certainly a tough decision.

 

[CDI]

Don't risk it. At the sub-200 level, there are enough gaps in knowledge that an exam heavy in your weaknesses can really expose you.

My scores (2 week intervals):
168, 187, 207, 221
Real deal: 217

Spend more time with FA, and don't fall in that 4-6% of AMGs that fail Step 1.

 

[preDoGuy24]

So quick background,

I am not looking to get into a specialty of sorts, most likely primary care, IM, peds type deal. Also my nbme scores have been coming up from 170 a 2 week ago, 180 a week a go and 191 today. My step 1 is in 3 days.

I feel 50/50 about passing. Sort of confident if I review my micro a bit. However, I also have the option of delaying my first rotation till 4th year. I searched for an hour or so and got very little info, but can anyone shed some light on how this affects you with your other rotations, or with residencies? Should I just gun it next couple days and take my step 1? Thanks!

Long time reader, first time poster. Can use your help.

You should delay. You are not 50/50 on passing if you started at a 170 and are now at 191 bro. I would do anything for another month take a look at your study schedul and put a lot more time in. If you are at the end of 2nd year you are behind where you should be, which is okay but you need to take more time and pass.

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[studentstudying]

So would the consensus be to just delay first rotation of third year? I feel like I can score above a 190 if I just review my micro/immuno a bit more today and tomorrow. Those are the 2 areas I planked on, on the last nbme. Whereas previously it was higher.

I'm about 80% done w/ uworld and have been scoring 60%. NBME's mess me up bad... So I really appreciate all the advice thus far. Does anyone have experience actually having to skip the first rotation of 3rd year? Or some hard data on what happens if you skip your first rotation?

 

[studentstudying]

Don't risk it. At the sub-200 level, there are enough gaps in knowledge that an exam heavy in your weaknesses can really expose you.

My scores (2 week intervals):
168, 187, 207, 221
Real deal: 217

Spend more time with FA, and don't fall in that 4-6% of AMGs that fail Step 1.

Did you have to take your first rotation of third year off?

 

[CDI]

Did you have to take your first rotation of third year off?

No, I'm an IMG, already graduated.

 

[Firewood]

I'd say somewhere between 5-10% of my med school class took the first rotation off for extra Step I studying. I didn't hear of anyone having problems with this come interview season. Residency programs won't bat an eye at this, and in fact I'm not entirely sure where they'd find out that you did this without really intensely scrutinizing your application. And if it's ever brought up, I think it shows a certain level of maturity and self-reflection to be able to say you need the extra time.

Also, as someone already mentioned, a Step failure or a very low score will be much more of a red flag than taking a little extra time off may be. Step scores are front and center on your residency application. Rotation orders/timelines are for fine-toothed combs.

Bottom line: Postpone a month. If you do well on the test, it will make the whole situation a non-issue.

 

[studentstudying]

That is some solid solid solid advice, especially coming from someone whose walked through the stages. Thanks for checking in on step 1 posts (really helping out those still climbing the ranks).

Do you know if this somehow alters studying time for step 2? I know, at our school, we get 6-8wks of vacation weeks 4th year for aways and etc (which I'd have to sacrifice to use that time now, to study for step 1).

Thanks again.

PS- thanks also to the other contributors, I appreciate all advice. I acknowledged "Firewood" 's comments a bit more, because of familiarity with the situation. Not to take away from any other advice I've received thus far.

I'd say somewhere between 5-10% of my med school class took the first rotation off for extra Step I studying. I didn't hear of anyone having problems with this come interview season. Residency programs won't bat an eye at this, and in fact I'm not entirely sure where they'd find out that you did this without really intensely scrutinizing your application. And if it's ever brought up, I think it shows a certain level of maturity and self-reflection to be able to say you need the extra time.

Also, as someone already mentioned, a Step failure or a very low score will be much more of a red flag than taking a little extra time off may be. Step scores are front and center on your residency application. Rotation orders/timelines are for fine-toothed combs.

Bottom line: Postpone a month. If you do well on the test, it will make the whole situation a non-issue.

 

[CDI]

That is some solid solid solid advice, especially coming from someone whose walked through the stages. Thanks for checking in on step 1 posts (really helping out those still climbing the ranks).

Do you know if this somehow alters studying time for step 2? I know, at our school, we get 6-8wks of vacation weeks 4th year for aways and etc (which I'd have to sacrifice to use that time now, to study for step 1).

Thanks again.

PS- thanks also to the other contributors, I appreciate all advice. I acknowledged "Firewood" 's comments a bit more, because of familiarity with the situation. Not to take away from any other advice I've received thus far.

I'm studying for that now. I think based on everyone Ive spoken to and having seen their results...Step 2 really should not be an issue for AMGs. Many don't even need a month, some not even 2 weeks.

Seems like you'll subscribe to UW during the year and drill the corresponding sections during each rotation. Studying for your shelfs = Great Step 2 score.

 

[Lioness12]

Hey,
I am not an AMG, but in your position I would postpone.

Who cares that you delayed for the step? It is not that big of a deal. Considering all the IMG stories I know about, your situation is minor. I would not even worry about it.

Would you rather fail and have that huge red mark on your application?

Even IM is difficult to get into with mediocre scores as most high-scoring IMGs aim for those spots.
If I get a stellar score, I am still aiming for IM. Most IMGs feel the same.

Delay the rotation. If it cuts into vacation time or ck study time later.....you will figure it out as you go. Also, ck is not that difficult. I read through it and can tell you this. Majority of the students do better with ck. Also if you do get less time for ck, you would know this before hand and hopefully read more board related books during the school year.

I see nothing blatantly wrong with delaying.

I do see that rushing to take the test, assuming you will do well even with a low margin.....as being foolish. I think you have a lot going on for you, so your worry and confusion is understandable.

Good luck 🙂

 

[Lioness12]

Oh and I want to say that you are showing progress with your NBMEs. 🙂

 

[Firewood]

Do you know if this somehow alters studying time for step 2? I know, at our school, we get 6-8wks of vacation weeks 4th year for aways and etc (which I'd have to sacrifice to use that time now, to study for step.

As CDI and Lioness mention, Step 2 is not such a big deal as Step 1. You'll be covering that material all third year, and actually using it, so it's easier to retain. Plus, it's not nearly as much raw information to cover as Step 1. Do uworld, study for shelf exams, take some self-assessments, and you'll do fine. Plus, a solid Step 1 takes the pressure off of having to bring up your score for step 2. The only timing issue you may run into is getting your scores out in time to go out with your apps. Ideally you want everything to go out as close to Sep 15th as possible. I think it takes about 4 weeks for your score to come out, so that means an August time frame. But it is also specialty dependent (less competitive=less picky), and a solid application can be missing a letter or score and still get an interview at most programs. Again, a good step 1 will only help you there, by making a delayed score less concerning than it would otherwise be with a poor step 1.

As for time to study, you can do it on a light 4th year rotation (plenty to choose from at my institution), with a break or vacation, or just with a disciplined study plan. It seems like the adage about step is pretty true for most people: 2 months studying for step 1, 2 weeks for step 2, and 2 pencils for step 3. I'll find out about step 3 later this year, but the first 2were accurate for me, and I was an average student at an average US school, and my scores were right in the middle of the bell curve for both tests.

Good luck on step and third year.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Obviously taking off your first rotation isn't ideal, but faced with the very real possibility of failing Step 1 you need to take whatever measures necessary to ensure that doesn't happen. If you are truly only interested in noncompetitive primary-care programs, then pretty much the ONLY thing you need to not do is outright fail Step 1.

 

[EuroDoc]

So quick background,

I am not looking to get into a specialty of sorts, most likely primary care, IM, peds type deal. Also my nbme scores have been coming up from 170 a 2 week ago, 180 a week a go and 191 today. My step 1 is in 3 days.

I feel 50/50 about passing. Sort of confident if I review my micro a bit. However, I also have the option of delaying my first rotation till 4th year. I searched for an hour or so and got very little info, but can anyone shed some light on how this affects you with your other rotations, or with residencies? Should I just gun it next couple days and take my step 1? Thanks!

Long time reader, first time poster. Can use your help.

Delaying a rotation is bad, sure, but it is infinitely worse to fail step 1 or pass w/ a borderline score. Think about it - many programs won't even look at your residency application if you have failed any step, many programs have cut-off scores, i.e. <210, so you really need to do well on step 1.

Delay the rotation, study 12H/day, and only take the exam if you score >220.

 

[g8orlife]

So would the consensus be to just delay first rotation of third year? I feel like I can score above a 190 if I just review my micro/immuno a bit more today and tomorrow. Those are the 2 areas I planked on, on the last nbme. Whereas previously it was higher.

Please, get in the right mindset and study "A LOT" not just "a bit."

Delay the rotation, study 12H/day, and only take the exam if you score >220.

Yes, at the minimum.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I have to agree with others as well on another point: you really need to change your mindset for studying for this exam. How can you study for 6 weeks and only be ~80% done with UWorld? 10-12 hour days should not be that hard when it's literally your only responsibility.

Delay your exam, figure out exactly how much stuff you want to study in the next few weeks, and set a schedule so that you do a SPECIFIC amount each day--if you go in thinking "I'll just do however much I can each day," it's so easy to decide you've done "enough" for the day but in reality be getting behind. I can't stress the importance of setting a schedule on your studying enough.

 

[studentstudying]

Wow, thank you for all the feedback.

I postponed my exam. I have to admit I haphazardly went through first aid. I am not sure if I memorized but more so read and read over and over without committing to memory the subjects. This time I might slow down my reading and memorize more than read. I think I spent 4-5 if not 6 hours going through a block of 46 questions. But I think I might have to switch my mentality from going from 70% of my day on FA/memorizing and 30% of my day on Uworld. Before this was flipped to 40% FA and 60% Uworld.

I made a schedule w/ 1 subject (System) per day with 46 questions. While on other days I am combining 2 of the smaller/easier subjects. I am looking at 3 weeks and 5 days which includes 3 days consisting of catch up/3 practice exams/off time. I think with my prep work I did thus far (as sloppy as it was--not logical how I approached studying) Hopefully it will be enough time to bring my score up to 220+ (from my original 191).

Am I too ambitious? At this point I have that fire to get this done now that I've felt the consequences of not being organized/haphazardly studying. Thanks for all your input. I will let you guys each know how I am doing and ultimately how I did on my steps.

 

[preDoGuy24]

Wow, thank you for all the feedback.

I postponed my exam. I have to admit I haphazardly went through first aid. I am not sure if I memorized but more so read and read over and over without committing to memory the subjects. This time I might slow down my reading and memorize more than read. I think I spent 4-5 if not 6 hours going through a block of 46 questions. But I think I might have to switch my mentality from going from 70% of my day on FA/memorizing and 30% of my day on Uworld. Before this was flipped to 40% FA and 60% Uworld.

I made a schedule w/ 1 subject (System) per day with 46 questions. While on other days I am combining 2 of the smaller/easier subjects. I am looking at 3 weeks and 5 days which includes 3 days consisting of catch up/3 practice exams/off time. I think with my prep work I did thus far (as sloppy as it was--not logical how I approached studying) Hopefully it will be enough time to bring my score up to 220+ (from my original 191).

Am I too ambitious? At this point I have that fire to get this done now that I've felt the consequences of not being organized/haphazardly studying. Thanks for all your input. I will let you guys each know how I am doing and ultimately how I did on my steps.

Memorizing is garbage if you don't actually understand the info bro, I think you would be better suited by doing the UWorld.-- >annotate into FA and focus on concepts. Go hard on the subjects you have done poorly on the nbme tests. The step will crush your soul if you sit and memorize first aid and take it, uworld is the tool for applying first aid into wtf situations you would never think of. I honestly don't think someone can memorize there way thru the step, especially starting at around a 190: I'm not trying to be douchey honestly I think you would be better suited going a complete 180 on your plan.

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[CDI]

Memorizing is garbage if you don't actually understand the info bro, I think you would be better suited by doing the UWorld.-- >annotate into FA and focus on concepts. Go hard on the subjects you have done poorly on the nbme tests. The step will crush your soul if you sit and memorize first aid and take it, uworld is the tool for applying first aid into wtf situations you would never think of. I honestly don't think someone can memorize there way thru the step, especially starting at around a 190: I'm not trying to be douchey honestly I think you would be better suited going a complete 180 on your plan.

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UW for Step 1 has little use when you have gaps across the board (score < 200). You'd be guessing on questions, and then reading lengthy explanations with no reference point. By the time you get through it once, it'll take up 2 months. Then you'll have 50% incorrect, which will take another month to go through.

FA is the fastest way to getting POINTS. At the sub-200 level, with short time (AMG) who cares how you get the points, call it what you want "memorizing" or "understanding", as long as you just get them.

 

[Houmd]

Delay, let that eat up into your vacation time. It's absolutely your best option

 

[preDoGuy24]

UW for Step 1 has little use when you have gaps across the board (score < 200). You'd be guessing on questions, and then reading lengthy explanations with no reference point. By the time you get through it once, it'll take up 2 months. Then you'll have 50% incorrect, which will take another month to go through.

FA is the fastest way to getting POINTS. At the sub-200 level, with short time (AMG) who cares how you get the points, call it what you want "memorizing" or "understanding", as long as you just get them.

I understand the reasoning, the step 1 I took definetly had a bundle of regurgitation questions. For anything beyond the gimmes in the test, even the gimmees wrapped in a tricky trickster question stem not having done uworld will make your test a lot harder than it otherwise would be. I started out my study time at around a 225, so your advice could be better for the score he/she is going for. I have always been anti memorization and pro understanding and application so I am biased I guess. I don't know my score yet, Wednesday is dday so maybe that's not the best way to go about things.

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[CDI]

I understand the reasoning, the step 1 I took definetly had a bundle of regurgitation questions. For anything beyond the gimmes in the test, even the gimmees wrapped in a tricky trickster question stem not having done uworld will make your test a lot harder than it otherwise would be. I started out my study time at around a 225, so your advice could be better for the score he/she is going for. I have always been anti memorization and pro understanding and application so I am biased I guess. I don't know my score yet, Wednesday is dday so maybe that's not the best way to go about things.

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You STARTED at a 225 (?!) well no wonder we have differing opinions on this part.

 

[santoukie]

Hang in there, been going through similar things!

 

[preDoGuy24]

You STARTED at a 225 (?!) well no wonder we have differing opinions on this part.

Hahaha, I shouldn't have put it like that. I started at the end of my 2nd year with a 225, definetly had done step stuff that last semester.


OP-look for quizlet/whatever other flashcard app you may use there is an abundance of different flashcards directly from FA that are good for memorization...Get your Micro flow charts memorized now...though I disagree with your strategy I think you can still improve ALOT in the next few weeks just put in a lot more time-60 hour weeks minimum.

 

[studentstudying]

Thanks for all the help guys. Yes I think I'll put in 60 hours a week for the next 3-4 weeks. I am hoping just focusing heavily on FA with pathoma sprinkled in for understanding. And a light taste of UW with it increasing gradually torward the end of the study period will help me boost my score.

Just googled the flash cards for the FA. Not bad, might be nice to do while grabbing a snack or something. Keep the mind active and fresh. I'll let you guys know how it goes down. And maybe I can ask you guys later on about how to deal with starting 3rd year late etc.

 

[EuroDoc]

You need to be doing 80 hours/wk. The past few weeks of my board prep, I completed at least 5 blocks of Q's/day, 50 pages of FA. If you do the same, you should be able to cover three Q-banks in the time you have left.

It's three weeks of pain for the benefit of your entire career.

 

[studentstudying]

60 hr /M-F, and doing 10 hours each sat/sunday.
Thanks Eurodoc for reality check.

I am actually going to focus a lot more on FA. I think I went too problem heavy the first go around. This time I'm going to do more FA than problems. And end doing more problems.